November 2024 Newsletter
Sawasdee kha from Thailand!
This afternoon, I’m off on a four-day Buddhist meditation retreat, but before I head out into the forest, here’s my monthly update! You can find more on my travels at the end of the newsletter. I finally joined Bluesky and became more active on Threads. Let’s connect over there!
Thank you for subscribing to my monthly newsletter highlighting my recently published articles, upcoming calls for sources, and a peek into my travels. If you’d like to support my work, tips via Venmo and PayPal are appreciated. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the paid version of this newsletter for $9.99 a month. If you’d like, buy me a tea here
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END OF YEAR SALE: Purchase a consultation before the end of 2024 and receive 15% off.
I offer consulting services to PR professionals, brands, and writers. I bring unique skills to the media industry, having worked in New York City as a publicist for seven years and as a freelance journalist for eight years. I deeply understand the inner workings of relationships between PR/brands and writers/publications.
Consultations for brands and publicists include insights on best practices for pitching journalists, how to foster relationships with journalists, media training, and more. I’m also available for hire to pen marketing materials such as press releases, media alerts, website copywriting, blog and social media content, and more.
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MONTHLY STATS
In November, I wrote six articles (about 4,500 words). Three were commissioned pitches, and three were assignments. I sent 22 pitches this month — one was commissioned (but I withdrew my pitch due to a low rate), five were rejected (or I moved on because I placed the story elsewhere or the story was no longer timely), and 16 are pending a response.
I lost a $1,000 assignment this month because I refused to agree to a kill fee. Kill fees are predatory to freelance writers, as we may only receive partial payment for completed work should the publication decide not to publish our work for any reason, which is onerous for journalists. I’ve been trying to write about this for years. Let me know if you know any editors who would be brave enough to publish a piece that questions why this is the only trade where these terms are acceptable!
NEW ARTICLES
My portfolio can be viewed at LolaAnnMendez.com. In November, I had 6 articles published, including my Debut in Wired and Mosaic Magazine. I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications, including the LA Times and Eater.
These are some of my pieces that were published this month. Each image is clickable to read the story.
CALLS FOR PITCHES & PR SOURCES
I always post my calls for sources on Twitter.com/LolaAnnaMendez. Newsletter subscribers get the first look at my current work. PR folks (and individuals, when relevant) are welcome to send pitches for the stories I’m currently working on.
Looking for French wine sources and data about rosé sales in France and the U.S.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LOLA?
I just returned from my monthly beach holiday. In November, I had to do a visa run to officially re-enter the country on my shiny brand new DTV 5-year visa for Thailand. I went to Malaysia and spent an evening in Kuala Lumpur eating laksa and vegan sushi, which was absolutely divine. The next day, I flew to Langkawi, a Malaysian island near Thailand that I had long intended to visit. The weather was overcast most days, so I only got one beach day, but overall, I enjoyed the waterfall hikes and vegan food. Next weekend, I’m making up for it by spending a long weekend in a Thai beach town I’ve never visited.
I plan to spend all of December in Thailand, but I’m very open to press trips in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific in the coming months. I'm especially keen to visit and write about New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Madagascar, Namibia, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Senegal, Nigeria, Oman, Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, Mongolia, and more!
Follow my adventures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.